Edinboro QB Harris to miss rest of season

Online Extras

MORE ON THE BLOG: To read more about college sports on the On Campus blog, click here.

MORE ONLINE: To read more football stories, from high school to the NFL click here.

Edinboro senior quarterback Cody Harris will miss the rest of season with two fracturdd ribs. The school will apply for medical hardship waiver, which would allow him to play in 2014. ANDY COLWELL/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Edinboro senior quarterback Cody Harris will miss the rest of the season with two fractured ribs.

Harris confirmed Wednesday that he suffered fractured ribs near his back during the second game of the season. He has missed the Fighting Scots' past five games. Edinboro announced Wednesday that it will ask the NCAA to grant Harris a medical hardship waiver, which would allow him to play in 2014.

"It's definitely tough, but God always has a plan for me," said Harris, who added that he has served as a "mini-coach" at practices recently. "I'm just out here helping our younger quarterbacks and receivers be in the right place at the right time."

Harris was off to a fast start this season, passing for 666 yards and eight TDs and rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown in two games.

Before the injury, he had started 33 of Edinboro's previous 34 games and had moved into second place on Edinboro's career list with 7,854 yards in total offense.

He is a two-time, all-PSAC West second-team selection.

Edinboro's coaching staff had hoped that the 6-foot, 191-pound Harris would heal in time to contribute again this season.

However, Harris said the injury, which occurred on his throwing side, continued to cause him extreme pain during his throwing motion. He said doctors eventually ruled out a return after testing the injury.

"They never felt it was right for me to (return)," Harris said. "It could easily break again and lead to a bigger issue."

Harris is hopeful that he will receive the medical hardship waiver for next season.

"I don't really know what it entails," he said. "I'm just hoping for the best. I want to come back and finish out my senior season strong."

Harris, who majors in human performance, is on pace to graduate in December. He said he is considering graduate school or working toward a minor.

Edinboro is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the PSAC West heading into a home game Saturday against Slippery Rock. In Harris' absence, redshirt freshman quarterback Jon Girvin has passed for 815 yards and five touchdowns.

Harris is focused on the Scots' outside shot at a postseason berth.

"I'm trying to take it in stride and help the younger guys and help push this team to the playoffs," he said.

Online Extras

MORE ON THE BLOG: To read more about college sports on the On Campus blog, click here.

MORE ONLINE: To read more football stories, from high school to the NFL click here.